Page 57 of Someone Like You
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She was falling for him.
The one thing Maddie didn’t see happening on this trip was actually happening, and there was nothing she could do about it. Dawson’s green eyes were a world she had spent the whole day exploring and all she wanted was more. More hours to talk, more places to see, more time with him.
As wrong as it was.
Back in her hotel room she sat on the edge of her bed and covered her face with her hands. What was she doing here? She never should’ve left Indiana. Connor loved her with all his heart, and since early that morning he would’ve been thinking of her, praying for her.Figure things out, he had told her.
She was the world’s worst fiancée. And even so all she could think about was Dawson. She had expected today to be melancholy and informative. She would learn about London and at the end of the day she’d feel closer to the sister she never met.
That had happened, definitely. But somewhere on the path at University of Portland, Maddie had realized something startling. She was enjoying herself far too much. How could she go home to Connor and plan a wedding when she’d never felt this way around any other guy? Shewasn’t sure if Dawson felt it, too, but something between them was electric.
Maybe because she wasn’t the same person she’d been before Dawson walked into her life. Who was she? Now that she wasn’t related to her family? And was she determined to destroy everything about her past, walking out on her parents and betraying Connor? Even just in her mind? She didn’t want to do that. Hurting the people back in Bloomington made no sense. Especially when it came to Connor.
But she couldn’t help herself.
Maddie lowered her hands. Suddenly all she wanted was to call home and talk to her mother. Her mom would understand what she was experiencing and why she wasn’t feeling the same about her fiancé. But she couldn’t call home any more than she could make sense of her crazy attraction to Dawson. It wasn’t just his looks or his beautiful faith. She was drawn to something deeper.
Like she really had known him all her life.
Lord, why do I feel so much when I’m with him? Is it because of London?
She waited but there was no quiet whisper from heaven. Instead a Bible verse came to mind. Something she’d read that morning before Dawson picked her up.
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.It was from Matthew, Chapter 11, and always the words brought her peace.
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Maddie breathed out. Gradually the words soothedher anxious heart. There was only one thing to do next. She grabbed her phone and called Connor. He was at his parents’ house helping his dad put together a new backyard table. He asked her about the day and then he wondered why her answers were short.
“I’m sorry.” She stood and paced the room. “I thought you needed to get back to work.”
Connor didn’t say anything.
Maddie’s pacing wasn’t helping. Her mind was back at Multnomah Falls. She sighed. “Hello? Connor?”
“Forget it, Maddie. Whatever.” Now it was Connor’s turn to sound short. “Maybe you’re right. My dad still needs my help.”
“I said I was sorry.” Maddie couldn’t wrangle her errant thoughts. She couldn’t tell Connor that her promise to him was being tested on every level. She sighed. “It’s been a long day, that’s all.”
“Maybe tomorrow will be better.” Connor was definitely trying to rebound. “I love you, Maddie. Try to get back to the hotel earlier. We can talk then.”
“Oh.” She hesitated. “Actually … I’m staying at Louise and Larry’s house tomorrow. Until I come back.”
Again Connor said nothing. Nearly a minute passed before he spoke. “Until you come home, you mean?”
“Right. Home.” Maddie dropped to the bed again. “I love you, Connor. We can talk longer tomorrow. I’m not even making sense.”
That night Maddie took two hours to fall asleep. When she did, she dreamed about Dawson.
The next day was sunnier still and ten degrees warmer. Dawson seemed to know from the moment he picked her up what he wanted to do. He took her to breakfast andthen to his house. A mansion on the Columbia River. Dawson gave her London’s wet suit and a room where she could change. The house was stunning, but warm.Like him,Maddie thought. The wet suit was a little long, but otherwise it fit perfectly. No surprise.
Maddie had jet-skied before on Lake Monroe, but the experience was nothing to how it felt riding alongside Dawson down the scenic river. The strong current made the adventure that much more exciting.
Ten minutes into the ride, a swell from a passing boat nearly capsized Maddie’s WaveRunner. Maybe she was over her head riding on the Columbia River. Dawson must’ve seen her uncertainty because he motioned for them to go back to the dock. They idled in the water a few feet from each other. “Sorry.” He was breathless, same as her. “That was a little dicey.”
“At least I stayed on.” Maddie tried not to stare at the way his arms looked in the wet suit. “I’m not a pro like you.”
